Our Opinion: Paying it forward

Increasing state workers' salaries must become a priority

Gov. Rick Scott's spending proposal for Florida is another example of what appears to be his new understanding that the budget-slashing measures that he proposed in his first year no longer resonate with Florida voters.

This year, Gov. Scott is proposing a budget of $74.2 billion, an increase of $4 billion over what he proposed last year. With that money, Gov. Scott is proposing an increase in K-12 spending, more money for state universities (as long as certain goals are met), additional money for economic development incentives and more.

In proposing this budget, Gov. Scott is putting the pressure squarely on the legislators, who now must grapple with their own spending priorities while being directed by state revenue projections and making sure that the state has enough of an economic cushion to offset a reduction of money expected from the federal government. In addition, Gov. Scott's budget did not include money for expanding Medicaid expenditures as anticipated under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Important for this community is how lawmakers and Gov. Scott work toward addressing the compensation of state workers. The governor's blueprint includes $167 million to give all state workers a one-time bonus of $1,200. That's in addition to $148 million for high-performing state employees to receive anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000 in bonus money.

Gov. Scott also is requesting money to give full-time classroom teachers a $2,500 pay raise, along with stipends.

What Gov. Scott's budget offers is a nod to the fact that state workers in Florida are among the lowest paid in the country, and that, even at that, they are seeing their paychecks reduced as they pay more into their retirement funds and pay more for benefits such as health insurance.

But it also shows that, for the seventh straight year, state employees will not see their base salaries increase. And, the state workforce once again will be reduced under the governor's plan. He's calling for the elimination of 3,600 positions, of which about 1,200 are now vacant.

It is estimated that, in Leon County, the state worker payroll amounts to more than $1 billion annually, according to Doug Martin of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. As a result, the loss in income for state workers due to cost-of-living, additional pension contributions and federal tax increases is estimated at $150 million in lost earning power locally.

Obviously that has a direct impact our local economy, from housing purchases to retail to arts and entertainment.

"After six years, state employees need a cost-of-living increase," Mr. Martin said. "That one-time bonus would be great, but that's for one time. Now that the economy has improved, they need to do the right thing for their employees."

The need to boost state salaries has not been lost on members of the local legislative delegation. Sen. Bill Montford says he will seek a 4-percent increase, Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda is pushing for a 7-percent increase and Rep. Alan Williams said he, too, is proposing a raise for state employees.

Gov. Scott should be applauded for presenting a budget that shows he is willing to invest in Florida, even if that means playing catch-up for previous cuts in education and other categories.

But at the same time, Gov. Scott and legislators must look at raising state workers' salaries. That would give real meaning to what Gov. Scott is billing as his Florida Families First budget.

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Our Opinion: Paying it forward

Gov. Rick Scott's spending proposal for Florida is another example of what appears to be his new understanding that the budget-slashing measures that he proposed in his first year no longer resonate